Former Governor of Anambra State and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, emphasizes Nigeria’s potential to feed its citizens and export surplus through agricultural investment.
During his visit to Mary Agro Farms in Enugu State, Obi stressed that Nigeria has sufficient land to cultivate food, but lacks effective leadership and investment.
“The vast land I have seen here is an assurance that we have enough land to cultivate food for ourselves, but we have lazy people, and leaders who are not investing right,” Obi said.
He observed that Nigeria can feed itself by investing in productivity and starting with producing what the nation eats, then gradually exporting to other countries.
Obi’s vision is supported by Nigeria’s agricultural statistics. The sector contributes 22.35% of the country’s GDP, with over 70% of Nigerians engaging in agriculture, mainly at a subsistence level.
However, challenges like poor land tenure, low irrigation, climate change, and limited financing hinder productivity.
Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu Catholic Diocese, Bishop Ernest Obodo, praised Obi’s passion for Nigeria’s development.
“We know Peter Obi as a man who has a passion to make Nigeria work… no Nigerian should go to bed hungry because we cannot grow enough food,” Obodo said.